I’ll be spending the holidays with family in Ft. Collins, Co. I won’t have time to check out the whole beer scene but I’d like to make the most of my time there. New Belgium is definitely on the list. What other places do I need to see/avoid? What else do I need to know? Thanks!
In order… Equinox Brewing, Odell’s Brewing and Funkwerks. If you go to Equinox, next door is the homebrew shop, Hops and Berries. That’s where I work.
There is also Pateros Creek, which specializes mostly in British-style session beers and Black Bottle, though I haven’t been to that one since their grand opening. They were “okay” at the time. Other local bars with good beer selections are the “Tap and Handle” and “The Mayor of Old Town”. They don’t brew, but they’ll have a lot of the FoCo beers as well as those from all over Colorado (and the world).
Odell’s, Equinox. Liked them best, but you do have to see New Belgium. Try and get a tour reservation at NB.
I was thinking to get the most out of a short amount of time new belgium, odell’s, funkwerks and equinox are all close together. Trying to hit all of the breweries and beer bars in Fort Collins would take a couple of days. Lots of options.
For beer bars, try the Mayor of Old Town and Choice City Deli (home of the Colorado Buffalo Reuben).
Thanks for the replies. I’ll likely have no more than 2 days to explore, so if I can hit NB, Odell’s, funkwerks, and equinox in one day, that would be…well, a great day! I’ll make sure I swing by Hops and Berries too. Pateros creek sounds good too. I like me some British session beers! Do I need to reserve very early to get a tour at NB?
If you have two days, maybe take the 35 minute drive down to Longmont and visit Left Hand and Oskar Blues one day.
My brother just moved from Longmont to Ft. Collins. So I’ve been to Left Hand. I’d love to go back but I’m not sure it’s in the cards.
To answer my own question, New Belgium tours are booked well into the future.
There’s also a Burger place walking distance from Equinox called Big Al’s Burgers and Dogs
Nice!!! I love Ft. Collins already!
Yeah, the only reason I mention the bars is that depending on the day most of the places will close between 6-9 pm, so they aren’t great for staying out late. I almost forgot Coopersmith’s, they’re a brewpub the next block down from Equinox and a good place to grab some food. Their Albert Damm Bitter and an order of banger’s and mash is a good meal.
Seems like everyone has covered it but I would have to +1 to Equinox, Odell and Funkwerks and of course NB. Lots of options. Have fun…for sure a great beer town. Cheers!
Looks like my AHA member card will come in handy.
My bro has mentioned that some of his friends, whom do not brew, have AHA memberships just for the member deals!
We got to Equinox, Odell, and Funkwerks in an afternoon and were back for dinner.
Let this be thy guide. Hours and everything all in one place.
http://www.fortcollinsbreweryguide.com/
Close to funkworks is FCB, Fort Collins brewery.
Yeah Fort Collins Brewery is really close to Odell….a short walk east. They offer some solid beer. your AHA card for sure will come in handy.
If you are looking for a beer bars check out The Mayor of Old Town, Tap & Handle and Choice City.
Cheers and have fun!
Fort Collins Brewing doesn’t seem to get a lot of love but they make some really solid beers. Most of their regular line up are classic American craft styles but they do some really good and contemporary seasonal and one offs. There is both a tap room and a restaurant on site. Go to the restaurant, it usually has some beers on tap that aren’t available anywhere else. After you eat and drink then check into the tap room and fill up on anything you couldn’t get in the restaurant.
I am also a big fan of Funkwerks, Odell and NB up there.
When we were out there in FCB during GABF they had a rauchbier called out of the ashes. Probably the best smoked beer I’ve had. And I’ve had schlenkirla.
+2. Interesting that such a good brewery can get so drowned out and out marketed…in an area saturated with good beer.